- Samsung Heavy Industries has launched the 174,000-cbm LNG carrier Minerva Roxanne, built for Greek shipping company Minerva Gas.
- The vessel, along with its sister ship Minerva Eleonora, is expected to serve under long-term charter agreements with ExxonMobil.
- Each LNG carrier costs about $215 million and will be delivered in 2026, featuring advanced ME-GA propulsion and GTT’s Mark III Flex containment system.
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries has launched a new 174,000-cbm LNG carrier, the Minerva Roxanne (SN2653), for Greek shipping company Minerva Gas, a subsidiary of Minerva Marine. The launch ceremony was announced by Minerva Gas via social media, confirming the milestone event on August 23.
Construction Timeline and Orders
Samsung Heavy began construction of the vessel in November last year and held the keel-laying ceremony in June 2025. The Minerva Roxanne is part of a two-vessel order placed in November 2022, with its sister ship Minerva Eleonora (SN2652) also under construction. Both LNG carriers are expected to be delivered in 2026.
Charters and Investment
Industry data indicates that Minerva Gas has secured long-term charters with U.S. energy major ExxonMobil for these vessels. The investment per ship is valued at around $215 million, underscoring the growing demand for modern LNG carriers.
Technical Specifications
The newbuilds are ME-GA propelled vessels equipped with GTT’s Mark III Flex containment system, offering efficiency and flexibility for global LNG transport. These features position the carriers among the most advanced in their class, designed to meet both operational and environmental standards.
Minerva’s LNG Fleet
With the addition of the Minerva Roxanne and Minerva Eleonora, Minerva Gas will expand its LNG fleet beyond its current five operational carriers. These include the Minerva Chios, Minerva Kalymnos, Minerva Limnos, and Minerva Psara, all built in 2021, and the Minerva Amorgos, delivered in 2022.
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Source: LNG Prime
